Combination step-ladder and bench.



. L. 0. AMBERSON. COMBINATION STEP LADDER AND BENCH.

' IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII GT. 15, 1907.

PATENTED AUG. 11, 1908. v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LINTON G. AMBERSON, OF NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO MORRIS L. CUKERBRAUM, OF NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINATION STEP-LADDER AND BENCH.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LINToN O. AMBERsoN,

a citizen of the United States of America, re-

. vented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combination Step-Ladder and Bench, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to step ladders, and more particularly to folding or convertible step ladders.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a ladder capable of being converted into a bench of strong and serviceable construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a step ladder with an attachment which will serve as a firm and reliable brace for the ladder to support it in position for use.

With these ends in view, -the invention consists in the features of construction, and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the improved ladder with the parts adjusted for useas a step ladder, and Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts folded and adjusted to form a bench.-

The ladder proper comprises side-bars, each consisting of two parallel strips 1 and 2 connected at their ends by blocks 3, and steps or rounds 4 secured to the side bars, and connected by a plurality of parallel longitudinal slats 5. The lower ends 6 of the front strips 1 of the side bars are recessed and provided on their outer sides with eyes 7 for the purpose hereinafter explained. The upper ends of the strips 1 are secured by hinges 8 to a cross bar 9, and secured to said cross bar by hinges 10 is a platform 11 from which project legs 12 adapted to serve as supports when the device is folded to form a bench. The platform 11 is provided with a cleat or flange 11 to serve as a guard for a bucket or like article. Secured to the proj ecting ends 13 of the cross bar.9 are parallel strips 14 connected by blocks 15, and at their lower ends by a cross bar 16 to which is hinged a cleat 17, from which project parallel legs 18. Supported in front of the cross bar 9 in bearings 19 is a rod 20 formed at its ends with hooks 21.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 15, 1907.

Patented Aug. 11, 1908.

Serial No. 397,510.

The unfolded position of the device is shown in Fig. 1, and when in this position the ladder is supported and braced by the frame comprising the strips 14, cross bar 16 and legs 18, the platform 11 being in position to constitute a shelf or support for a bucket or other vessel.

When it is desired to convert the ladder into a bench, the shelf 11 is turned to rest upon the cross bar 9 and the hooks 21 of the rod 20 engage eyes 22 projecting from the outer sides of the legs 12. The side bars consisting of the strips 1 and 2 are moved to a position within the strips 14, the recesses 6 permitting the strips l'to pass the legs 18. Theeyes 7 projecting from the stri s 1 are then'engaged by hooks 23 securec t0 the outer sides of the strips 14.

It will be apparent that when thus adjusted and secured the device provides a convenient bench, the slats 5 forming the.

struction shown, but includes all such modifications and variations in the details as may be resorted to without departing from the terms and scope of the'claims.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new, is

1. The combination with a stepladder, of slats secured thereto, a cross bar to which the upper ends of the side bars of the ladder are hinged, a platform hinged to said cross bar, legs projecting from said platform, frame bars secured at their upper ends to said cross bar, and legs secured to the lower ends of said frame bars.

2. The combination with a step-ladder, longitudinal slats secured thereto, of a cross bar having a hinged connection with the upper ends of the side bars of the ladder, a shelf or platform hinged to said cross bar, legs projecting from said shelf, means for securing said shelf upon said cross bar, a frame secured to the ends of said cross bar, a cleat hinged to said frame, legs projecting from said cleat, and means for securing said frame to the lower ends of the side bars of the ladder.

3. The combination with a step-ladder comprising side bars recessed at their lower ends, rounds or steps secured to said side bars, and parallel longitudinal slats secured to said rounds, of a cross bar connecting the upper ends of the side bars, a shelf hinged to said cross bar, legs projecting from said shelf, a frame secured to the projecting ends of said cross bar, a cleat hinged to said frame,

legs projecting from said cleat, and fitting the recesses in the ends of the side bars of the ladder, hooks secured to said frame engaging eyes projecting from said side bars, and means for connecting the upper ends of the side bars of the ladder to the adjacent 10 legs comprising a rod formed With hooks at its ends, and eyes projecting from said legs. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

LINTON O. AMBERSON. Witnesses:

JNo. M. GARDNER, L. A. JOHNSTON. 

